Garment clasp



New. 29, 1938. B YOUNG 2 i38fi73 GARMENT CLASP Filed Dec. 24, 1936ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 29, 1938 UNITED STATES I MNT OFFIQ 7 Claims.

This invention relates to garment clasps, and, while intended for usegenerally wherever it may be advantageously applied, it is particularlyadapted for use as a garter clasp in which connection it is illustratedin the drawing and hereinafter specifically described.

Objects of the invention are to provide a clasp of simple, economicalconstruction which may be conveniently used for securely attaching asupporting member to a stocking or other garment.

Other objects are to provide a garter clasp having a base member and aloop member with an elongated stud adapted when turned longitudinally ofthe loop to be received therein and arranged when turned transversely ofthe loop to engage the loop and hold the same in an operative positionand to provide simple, efficient means for locking the clasp in a closedposition.

The above and other objects and advantages are accomplished by the novelconstruction hereinafterdescribed with reference to the accompanyingdrawing in which the invention has been illustrated as applied to aparticular structure, it being understood that the structure illustrated,may be changed or modified in various ways and adapted to otherpurposes which come within the spirit of the invention as hereinafterclaimed.

In the drawing:-

Figure 1 is a front, elevational view of a clasp constructed inaccordance with this invention, the same being shown with the stud in anoperated position,

Figure 2 is a similar View showing the stud in a locked position,

portion of the stud in cross section as the same is positioned when thehead of the stud is in an inoperative position,

Figure 4 is a similar view showing the base portion of the stud in crosssection, the same being taken with the stud in a locked position,

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of a clasp constructed in accordancewith this invention,

Figure 6 is a central, vertical, sectional view taken as indicated bythe lines 6-6 of Figure 1,

Figure '7 is a fragmentary, longitudinal view of the upper portion of astocking showing the clasp in a partly closed position and showing bydotted lines the manner of initially positioning my improved garterclasp thereon.

Figure 8 is a similar view showing the clasp in an operated position,

Figure 9 is a front, elevational view of a modified form of theinvention, the same being shown in an open position,

Figure 3 is a similar view showing the base,

Figure 10 is a side elevational View of same,

Figure 11 is a front, elevational view showing the same in a lockedposition,

In the particular form of the invention shown in the drawing, thenumeral l5 denotes a fiat back member which may be composed of anysuitable material, but is preferably composed of relatively stiff, sheetmaterial. The numeral IE denotes a loop member which is hingedly securedto the back member l5 by means of the staples I! or other suitablefastening means.

The numeral 58 denotes a stud which is secured to the back member l5 bymeans of a rivet 20. The rivet is provided on the rearwardly presentedend thereof witha flat head which has a diameter greater than theopening H3.

The .upper portion of the opening i9 is circular and is provided with arelatively narrow, downwardly projecting extension ISa. The shankportion 20a of the rivet 2D is of elongated, rectangular shape and isadapted to fit in the lower portion l9a of the opening l9 whenpositioned withits longer sides disposed longitudinally of the extendedportion l9a of the opening 59. A washer 18a of approximately the samediameter as the head of the rivet 2a is positioned on the rivet betweenthe stud l8 and the elongated portion 20a. With the clasp in an openposition, the elongated portion 253a, is freely rotatable in the openingl9 as shown in Figure 3. With the clasp in a locked position, as shownin Figure 2, the elongated, portion 29a of the rivet 2% is lockedagainst rotation as shown in Figure 4. The head of the lug I8 iselongated with the end portions thereof overhanging so that when turnedlongitudinally of the loop I6, it will not engage the loop member l6,but when turned transversely of the loop as shown in Figure 1, willoverlap the members of the loop IE to hold the same in position againstthe back of the member 15.

The back member I?! is provided at the upper end thereof with ,a cord 2ior other means by which the clasp is secured to the main body of agarter or other device.

In use, the stud I8 is turned to a position where it is disposedlongitudinally of the clasp it. The loop member I6 is swung to an openposition and the upper portion of a stocking is positioned over the studIS. The members l5 and it are swung to a horizontal position and thestud is held in a horizontal position while theback member it is swungto a vertical position, thus positioning the stocking covered stud inthe position shown in Figure ,8. In this position the elongated portion20a of the rivet 20 is positioned in the upper portion of the opening[9. The stud is then held stationary and the back member I5 and loop l6are moved upwardly to position the portion 20a in the lower portion !9aof the opening l9 as shown in Figure 4. In this position, the head ofthe stud i8 is positioned transversely of the loop I 6 with theelongated portion 29a of the rivet 20 fitted in the rectangular lowerportion of the opening 89 thus locking the stud l8 against turningmovement on the back member I5.

In Figures 9, l0 and 11 there is shown a back member 22 which serves thesame purpose as the back member [5 and a loop member 23 which serves thesame purpose as the loop member IS. The back member 22 and the loopmember 23 are formed of one piece of relatively stiff sheet materialbent at 24 to form a hinge. The back member 22 is provided with anelongated stud which is similar to the stud l8 and which is rotatablymounted on the back member 22.

The front member 23 is provided with an elongated opening 26 which willpermit a free opening and closing movement of the front member 23 whenthe stud 25 is positioned longitudinally thereof as shown in Figure 9and which is positioned on a stocking or other garment as abovedescribed and turned to the position shown in Figure 11.

In the adaptation of the invention shown in Figures 9, 10 and 11, asupporting cord 21, similar to the supporting cord 2!, is positionedthrough the opening 26 and secured to the back member 22 by the rivet 28which secures the stud 25 thereon. 7 While I have illustrated a lug l8secured to the back member i5 by a rivet 20, it is understood that anysuitable means may be employed for rotatably mounting an elongated lugon said back member and that the term stud as used in the claims may beconsidered as including the stud 2i) and the means by which it isattached to the back member l5.

Having thus illustrated my invention and 'described the same in detail,what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a stud-type clasp for holding flexible material at points notprovided with openings sufficiently large to receive the stud, thecombination with front and back memberslhaving interconnected means forguiding said members to and from each other, a stud rotatably mounted onone of said members and having an enlarged head thereon elongated in aplane substantially perpendicular to the axis of said stud, the other ofsaid members having an opening of a size and shape to permit said headto pass therethrough' when said stud is rotated relative to said'firstmember to a given position, and through which said head can not passwhen in at least one other given position relative to the member onwhich it is mounted, said latter position being the operative positionof said stud whereby the garment material to which said clasp is to beattached may be placed oversaid head with the members separated, and,with the stud in said first position the members may be brought togetherto cause the stud and overlying material to pass through said opening,after which the said members may be rotated to said operative positionrelative to said stud to prevent withdrawal ofsaid head and materialfrom said opening.

2. In a stud-type clasp for holding flexible material at points notprovided with openings suificiently large to receive the stud, thecombination with front and back members pivoted to each other a studrotatably mounted on one of said members and having an enlargedheadthereon elongated in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis ofsaid stud, the other of said members having an opening of a size andshape to permit said head to pass therethrough when said stud is rotatedrelative to said first member to a given position, and through whichsaid head can not pass when in at least one other given positionrelative to the member on which it is mounted, said latter positionbeing the operative position of said stud whereby the garment materialto which said clasp is to be attached may be placed over said head withthe members separated, and, with the stud in said first position themembers may be brought together to cause the stud and overlying materialto pass through said opening, after which the said members may berotated to said operative position relative to said stud to preventwithdrawal of said head and material from said opening.

3. In a stud-type clasp for holding flexible material at points 'notprovided with openings sufiiciently large toreceive the stud, thecombination with front and back members having interconnected means forguiding said members to and from each other, a stud rotatably mounted onone of said members and having an enlarged head thereon elongated in aplane substantially perpendicular to the axis of said stud, the other ofsaid members having an opening of a size and shape to permit said headto pass therethrough when said stud is rotatedrelative to said firstmember to a given position, and through which said head can not passwhen in at least one other given position relative to the member onwhich it is mounted, said latter position being the operative positionof said stud whereby the garment material to which said clasp is to beattached may be placed over said head with the members separated, and,with the stud in said first position the members may be brought togetherto cause the stud and overlying material to pass through said opening,after which the said members may be so rotated to said operativeposition relative to said st'ud to prevent withdrawal of said head andmaterial from said opening, said stud additionally being mounted forlimited sliding movement on said first member, after said stud is movedto said second position, and means thereon cooperating with means onsaid second member for locking said stud against rotation.

i. In a stud-type clasp for holding flexible material at points notprovided with openings sufficiently large to receive the stud, thecombination with front and back members having interconnected means forguiding said members to and from each other, a stud rotatably mounted onone of said members and having an enlarged, elongated head thereon, theother of said members having an opening through which said head willpass when said stud is rotated relative to said first member to a givenposition, and through which said head can not pass when in at least oneother given position relative'to the member on which it is mounted,whereby the garment material to which said clasp is to be attached maybe placed over said head with the members separated, and, with the studin said first position the members may be brought together to cause thestud to pass through said openingafter which the said members may berotated to said other position relative to said stud to prevent withwith means on said second member for locking said stud against rotationwhen said stud is moved to said second position.

5. In a stud-type clasp for holding flexible material at points notprovided with openings sufliciently large to receive the stud, a backmember, a front member having an opening and being carried by said backmember, said back member being provided with an aperture having adownwardly directed narrower extension, the side walls of said extensionbeing substantially parallel; a lug having a shank portion of elongatedcross-section rotatably mounted in said aperture and receivable in saidextension when positioned edgewise thereof, said shank portion havingflat portions when entered in said extension engageable with said wallsto prevent turning movement of said stud.

6. In a stud-type clasp for holding flexible material at points notprovided with openings sufficiently large to receive the stud, a backmember,-a front member having an opening and being carried by said backmember, said back member being provided with an aperture, said aperturehaving a downwardly projecting narrower extension, a lug having a shankportion of elongated cross section rotatably secured in said apertureand fitting in said extension when presented with its largest portionsubstantially parallel to said extension; said lug having an elongatedhead receivable in said opening in said front member when disposedlongitudinally thereof and engaging said front member when enteredtherein and turned transversely thereof to prevent withdrawal from saidopening; the elongated portion of said shank being movable into saidextension to lock said lug against turning movement substantially asherein set forth.

7. In a stud-type clasp for holding flexible material at points notprovided with openings sufficiently large to receive the stud thecombination with a back member of a front member, a stud with anelongated head, means for rotatably securing the back member to the studfor relative turning movement with respect thereto, guiding means forrelative turning movement with respect thereto, guiding meansinterconnecting said front and back members to guide said members to andfrom each other in proper cooperating relation, said front member havingan opening for receiving the stud and providing an edge adjacent saidopening for engaging the said head of the stud when the front member,carried by the back member, is turned to a given angular position withrespect to the head, said head being free of the edge of said opening inanother angular position thereof to permit movement of the front andback members away from each other.

RANDALL B. YOUNG.

